Information processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, option function setup method, option function setup method for information processing apparatus, option function setup method for image forming apparatus, program, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

In a case where only one image forming apparatus ID stored in a PC coincides with an own ID of an image input/output system itself stored in this system, it is controlled to set up the option function of the image input/output system according to information concerning validation and invalidation of an option function of the image input/output system instructed on the PC side, while in a case where only one image forming apparatus ID does not coincide with the own ID of the image input/output system itself, it is controlled not to set up the option function of the image input/output system according to the information instructed on the PC side, thereby preventing that a user unfairly duplicates a setup program with an evil intention, and thus can set up the option function to the plural image forming apparatuses by purposely duplicating the setup program.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an information processingapparatus which can perform an option function setup to set up an optionfunction of an image forming apparatus from an external apparatus, animage forming apparatus which can perform an option function setup, anoption function setup method, an option function setup method for theinformation processing apparatus, an option function setup method forthe image forming apparatus, a program which executes the optionfunction setup method, and a storage medium which stores the program forexecuting the option function setup method.

[0003] 2. Related Background Art

[0004] Conventionally, as a setup method of providing a setup program toa user for counter value and thereby validating or invalidating anoption function of an image forming apparatus owned by the user, thereis a method that a setup program is executed in an external apparatusconnected through a communication medium to the image forming apparatusbeing operating in a setup mode, an option function flag stored in astorage medium of the image forming apparatus is thereby validated orinvalidated, and thereafter the setup program itself is deleted from theexternal apparatus.

[0005] However, the above method premises that one setup program isprovided for counter value in regard to only one image forming apparatusowned by the user. Therefore, to validate the option function for pluralimage forming apparatuses, it is necessary to buy the plural setupprograms of the number same as the number of the image formingapparatuses. However, in such a case, there is a fear that, if a userwho owns only one setup program illegally or unfairly duplicates it withan evil intention, the option function is validated for the plural imageforming apparatuses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an informationprocessing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an option functionsetup method, an option function setup method for the informationprocessing apparatus, an option function setup method for the imageforming apparatus, a program for executing the option function setupmethod, and a storage medium for storing the program, which all solvedthe above problem.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide aninformation processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an optionfunction setup method, an option function setup method for theinformation processing apparatus, an option function setup method forthe image forming apparatus, a program for executing the option functionsetup method, and a storage medium for storing the program, which allcan prevent a conventional drawback that a user who has an evilintention (or a malicious user) can set up the option function to pluralimage forming apparatuses by purposely duplicating the setup program.Thus, even if the user who has the evil intention illegally or unfairlyduplicates the setup program, it is merely possible to set up the optionfunction for only one image forming apparatus.

[0008] Other objects and features according to the present inventionwill become apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which like reference charactersdesignate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire structure of a systemto which an information processing apparatus and an image formingapparatus both according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention are applicable;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a cross section diagram showing the structures of areader unit and a printer unit both shown in FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of an operationunit shown in FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a typical view showing an option function setup modescreen which is displayed on a touch panel of the operation unit shownin FIG. 3 so as to cause the image forming apparatus according to thepresent invention to operate in an option function setup mode;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a typical view showing an example of a memory map of anonvolatile memory provided in the image forming apparatus according tothe present invention;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a typical view showing an example of the format of an IDfile stored in an external storage medium such as a not-shown hard diskor the like connected to an external apparatus according to the presentinvention;

[0015]FIGS. 7A and 7B are flow charts showing an example of an optionfunction setup processing procedure in the system to which theinformation processing apparatus and the image forming apparatusaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention areapplicable;

[0016]FIG. 8 is a typical view showing an example of a security optionfunction setup operation screen in an image forming apparatus optionfunction setup tool activated on the external apparatus according to thepresent invention;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a typical view showing an example of the security optionfunction setup operation screen in the image forming apparatus optionfunction setup tool activated on the external apparatus according to thepresent invention;

[0018]FIG. 10 is a typical view showing an example of the securityoption function setup operation screen in the image forming apparatusoption function setup tool activated on the external apparatus accordingto the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 11 is a typical view showing an example of the securityoption function setup operation screen in the image forming apparatusoption function setup tool activated on the external apparatus accordingto the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 12 is a typical view showing an example of the securityoption function setup operation screen in the image forming apparatusoption function setup tool activated on the external apparatus accordingto the present invention;

[0021]FIGS. 13A and 13B are flow charts showing an example of an optionfunction setup processing procedure in a system to which an informationprocessing apparatus and an image forming apparatus both according tothe second embodiment of the present invention are applicable; and

[0022]FIG. 14 is a typical view for explaining an example of a memorymap of a storage medium which stores various data processing programscapable of being read by the system to which the information processingapparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the presentinvention are applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present inventionwill now be described in detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

[0024] (First Embodiment)

[0025] First, the entire structure of a system to which an informationprocessing apparatus and an image forming apparatus both according tothe first embodiment of the present invention are applicable will beexplained.

[0026]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire structure of thesystem to which the information processing apparatus and the imageforming apparatus according to the first embodiment are applicable.

[0027] In FIG. 1, numeral 200 denotes a reader unit (or an image inputapparatus) which optically reads an image of an original (or an originalimage) and converts the read image into image data (or print data). Thereader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 which has a function to readthe original image, and an original feed unit (or a document feeder (DF)unit) 250 which has a function to feed and transport the original.

[0028] Numeral 300 denotes a printer unit (or an image output apparatus)which transports a recording sheet (or a recording paper), prints theimage data on the transported recording sheet as a visible image, andthen outwardly discharges the recording sheet on which the visible imagehas been printed. Incidentally, the printer unit 300 includes a sheetfeed unit 310 which contains plural kinds of recording sheet cassettes,a marking unit 320 which has a function to transfer and fix the printdata to the recording sheet, and a sheet discharge unit 330 which has afunction to perform a sorting process and a stapling process to therecording sheets on which the images have been respectively printed, andto discharge the processed recording sheets outside the printer unit300.

[0029] Furthermore, numeral 110 denotes a control apparatus (or acontroller unit) which is electrically connected to the reader unit 200,the printer unit 300 and a hard disk 600, and is further connected tohost computers (or PC's) 401 and 402 through a network (or a local areanetwork (LAN)) 400.

[0030] The controller unit 110 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the likewhich are all not shown. Thus, the CPU which reads and executes aprogram stored in the ROM, the hard disk 600 or other recording mediumcontrols based thereon the reader unit 200 to read the print data of theoriginal and controls the printer unit 300 to execute a copy function tooutput the print data on the recording sheet. Moreover, the controllerunit 110 includes a scanner function to convert the print data read fromthe reader unit 200 into code data and then transmit the converted codedata to the host computer through the network 400, and a printerfunction to convert code data received from the host computer throughthe network 400 into print data and then output the converted print datato the printer unit 300. In addition, the controller unit 110 includes afunction to store the print data in the hard disk 600.

[0031] Numeral 150 denotes an operation unit which is connected to thecontroller unit 110 and consists of a liquid crystal touch panel acts asa user interface (UI) which is used to operate or handle an imageinput/output system.

[0032] Furthermore, numeral 100 denotes the image input/output system(or an image forming apparatus), and numerals 401 and 402 denotes thehost computers (PC's). On one hand, each of the host computers (PC's)401 and 402 may be called an external apparatus.

[0033] Here, although the structure that the external apparatus and theimage forming apparatus are connected to each other through the LAN 400is explained, these apparatuses may be connected through a Centronicsparallel cable or the like.

[0034] Moreover, although the case where the reader unit 200, theprinter unit 300, the hard disk 600 and the controller unit 110 togetherconstitute an integrational apparatus (or an integrational system) ismainly explained by way of example in the present embodiment, each ofthese units may be provided independently.

[0035] Moreover, although the image forming apparatus or the imageinput/output system according to the present embodiment is mainlyexplained as a multifunctional apparatus or system which includes thescanner function, the copy function, a facsimile function, a printerfunction and the like as described above, the present invention is alsoapplicable to a single-functional apparatus or system which includes atleast one of the above plural functions.

[0036] As above, the present invention is applicable to any kinds ofdevice structures, system configurations and functions which can achievethe processes shown in various flow charts later described and otherprocesses equivalent thereto.

[0037]FIG. 2 is a cross section diagram showing the structures of thereader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 which are shown in FIG. 1.

[0038] In the reader unit 200, numeral 250 denotes an original feed unit(or a document feeder (DF) unit) which feeds one by one the originals inpage order onto a platen glass 211, and further discharges the originalfrom the platen glass 211 after an original reading operation ended.

[0039] When the original is fed and transported onto the platen glass211, a lamp 212 is turned on, and movement of an optical unit 213 isstarted, whereby the original is exposed and scanned. Then, reflectionlight from the original at this time is introduced into a CCD imagesensor (or a CCD simply) 218 through mirrors 214, 215 and 216 and a lens217, whereby the image of the scanned original is read by the CCD 218.Subsequently, image data output from the CCD 218 is subjected to apredetermined process and then transferred to the controller unit 110.

[0040] On one hand, in the printer unit 300, numeral 321 denotes a laserdriver, which drives a laser beam generation unit 322 to generate alaser beam according to the image data output from the controller unit110. The generated laser beam is irradiated on a photosensitive drum323, a latent image according to the irradiated laser beam is thusformed on the photosensitive drum 323, and a developer is adhered to theportion of the latent image on the photosensitive drum 323 by adeveloping unit 324.

[0041] Incidentally, a recording sheet is fed from either a cassette 311or a cassette 312 to a transfer unit 325 at timing synchronized with astart of the laser beam irradiation, whereby the developer adhered onthe photosensitive drum 323 is transferred to the recording sheet in thetransfer unit 325. The recording sheet on which the developer has beentransferred is then transported to a fixing unit 326, whereby thedeveloper is fixed to the recording sheet by heat and pressure appliedin the fixing unit 326. The recording sheet, which passed the fixingunit 326, is discharged by discharging rollers 327. Then, a sheetdischarging unit 330 sheaves, sorts and/or staples the recording sheetsdischarged by the discharging rollers 327.

[0042] Incidentally, in a case where double-sided recording is set, therecording sheet is once transported up to the discharging rollers 327.After then, the rotation direction of each of the discharging rollers327 is reversed, and the recording sheet is thus introduced into a sheetrefeed path 329 by a flapper 328. The recording sheet which has beenintroduced in the sheet refeed path 329 is again fed to the transferunit 325 at the above timing.

[0043]FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operationunit 150 shown in FIG. 1.

[0044] In FIG. 3, numeral 502 denotes a power lamp which indicateswhether the power source of the copying machine has been turned on. Thatis, if the power source is turned on by depressing a power switch 501,the power lamp 502 is lit.

[0045] Numeral 503 denotes a copy function selection key which is usedto select the copy function. If a copy function mode is set bydepressing the copy function selection key 503, a copy job which hasbeen read and obtained by the scanner unit 210 can be printed by theprinter unit 300 in accordance with an output processing condition forthe copy job set by a user through the operation unit 150. Numeral 504denotes a facsimile function selection key which is used to select thefacsimile function. If a facsimile function mode is set by depressingthe facsimile function selection key 504, a facsimile job which has beenread and obtained by the scanner unit 210 can be facsimile-transmittedto the external apparatus in accordance with a processing condition forthe facsimile job set by the user through the operation unit 150.Numeral 505 denotes a personal box selection key which is used to selecta personal box function. Here, the personal box function is the functionto previously allocate plural virtual user areas to partial areas of thehard disk 600, enable to store and hold the job in regard to each userarea (this user area is called a box, hereinafter), enable to cause theuser to read the job from the box at his desired timing, and enable toprint the read job and further transmit it to other apparatus.Incidentally, in this case, it is possible to previously prepare pluralboxes (e.g., 100 boxes) in the hard disk 600, and set a name and apassword in regard to each box. Moreover, it is possible to store theplural jobs in each box. If a personal box mode is selected and set bydepressing the personal box selection key 505, the desired box isselected by the user from among the plural boxes through the operationunit 150, for example, an input process to store the job read by thereader unit 200 in the selected box is performed. Moreover, in thepersonal box mode, the desired job is selected by the user from amongthe plural jobs stored in the selected box through the operation unit150, and the selected job is read from the hard disk 600. Then, forexample, the selected and read job is printed by the printer unit 300,or transmitted to other apparatus through the network.

[0046] Incidentally, in the controller unit 110, it is possible to causea touch panel (or a display panel) 516 of the operation unit 150 todisplay various user interface (UI) screens used to select the abovefunctions, a later-described UI screen shown in FIG. 4, and the like.Moreover, display screen data and the like to be displayed on the UIscreen of the operation unit 150 may be stored in, e.g., the hard disk600 or other not-shown memory. That is, the present embodiment isapplicable to any kinds of memory configurations. In this case, underthe control of the controller unit 110, it is possible to read thedisplay screen data from such a display memory and then display the readdata on an appropriate display unit (including, e.g., the operation unitof the user's own apparatus, the operation unit of other remoteapparatus, and the like).

[0047] Numeral 512 denotes a numeric key pad (also called a ten-keykeypad hereinafter) which is used by the user to set the number ofsheets to which the image forming should be performed, set the variousmodes, and input various numerals necessary in the operations. Moreover,the ten-key keypad 512 can be used to input, e.g., telephone numbers ona facsimile setting screen which is displayed in a case where afacsimile mode is selected and set by the user. Numeral 513 denotes aclear key which is used to disable the setting input by the user throughthe ten-key keypad 512, and numeral 508 denotes a reset key which isused to return the set number of sheets to which the image formingshould be performed, the set operation modes, the selected sheet feedcassette, and the like, respectively to their default values.

[0048] Numeral 506 denotes a star key which is depressed to start animage forming operation such as a copy operation, and numeral 507denotes a stop key which is depressed to stop the running image formingoperation. Numeral 509 denotes a guide key which is depressed in a casewhere the user does not know how to execute a certain key function. Thatis, if the guide key 509 is depressed, the explanation of the keyfunction in question is displayed on the display panel 516. Numeral 510denotes a user mode key which is used to change the setting of thecopying machine.

[0049] Moreover, numeral 511 denotes an interrupt key which is depressedin a case where the user wishes to perform other operation during theimage forming operation, and numeral 514 denotes a set of 20 one-touchdial keys which is used in a case where one-touch dialing is performedin the facsimile transmission.

[0050] In response to the various user's operations using the above keyson the operation unit 150, the controller unit 110 controls each unit toperform the operations according to the instructions based on thecontents of user's operations.

[0051] Numeral 515 denotes a set of two covers which has a doublestructure. Here, on each cover, the portions corresponding to therespective one-touch dial keys 514 are hollowed out. Besides, the set ofthe two covers 515 provides three states, that is, a first state thatboth the two covers are closed, a second state that only the first coveris closed, and a third state that only the second cover is closed, whichare all detected by a not-shown sensor switch. In other words, the setof the two covers 515 according to the present embodiment brings aboutthe effect which is equivalent to that in a case where 60 differentkinds of keys are totally prepared. Typically, the above-described keysare respectively provided as hard keys, but other appropriate keys maybe provided as soft keys of the UI screen to be displayed on the touchpanel 516.

[0052] Moreover, numeral 516 denotes the touch panel on which thesetting screen is displayed in regard to each mode. That is, on thetouch panel 516, the various detailed setting can be achieved byappropriately touching drawn and displayed keys.

[0053]FIG. 4 is the typical view showing an example of an optionfunction setup mode screen which is displayed on the touch panel 516 ofthe operation unit 150 shown in FIG. 3 so as to cause the image formingapparatus according to the present invention to operate in an optionfunction setup mode.

[0054] In FIG. 4, numeral 700 denotes an option function setup modescreen. When the user specifically combines and depresses the numerickeys of the ten-key keypad 512, the user mode key 510 and the guide key509, the option function setup mode screen 700 is displayed in responseto such depressions under the control of the controller unit 110.

[0055] Then, when an “OK” key 701 is depressed by the user, it ispossible in response to such a depression to cause the image formingapparatus to operate in the option function setup mode under the controlof the controller unit 110. In the option function setup mode, it ispossible to rewrite the contents of data communication to set up theoption function from an external apparatus (e.g., a host computer, oranother image forming apparatus) connected through a communicationmedium (e.g., a network) and also to rewrite the value of an optionfunction flag stored in the nonvolatile memory (e.g., a not-shown EEPROM(Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) provided inthe controller unit 110 of FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus.

[0056] Incidentally, the option function of the image forming apparatusincludes, e.g., (1) a security function, (2) a network scanner function,(3) a cooperation function associated with document administrationsoftware, and the like. In this way, although a case where the pluralkinds of option functions can be set for one image forming apparatuswill be mainly explained in the present embodiment, the presentinvention is of course applicable to a case where only one kind ofoption function can be set for one image forming apparatus. Moreover, inaddition to the above option functions, any kind of option functionwhich is applicable to the apparatus or the system according to thepresent embodiment may be included in the present invention.

[0057] In the present embodiment, the operations for instructing tovalidate and invalidate the option function are limited. Morespecifically, the setting operation to validate the option functionwhich has been set (or is set) to the image forming apparatus (i.e., thesetting operation to permit the image forming apparatus to perform theprocess concerning the option function in question), the settingoperation to invalidate the option function (i.e., the setting operationto inhibit the image forming apparatus from performing the process usingthe option function in question), and the like are limited. Moreover, inthe present embodiment, it is possible to control whether or not toenable the setting operation for instructing to validate and invalidatethe option function, on the basis of the later-described variousprocesses.

[0058] Numeral 702 denotes a “CANCEL” key. When the “CANCEL” key 702 isdepressed, the controller unit 110 ends the option function setup modeand further closes the option function setup mode screen 700.

[0059]FIG. 5 is a typical view showing an example of a memory map of thenonvolatile memory provided in the image forming apparatus according tothe present invention. Here, in the present embodiment, the various datashown in FIG. 5 are stored in the memory provided in the image formingapparatus. However, a memory which stores the data shown in FIG. 5 maybe provided in another apparatus such as a server, a computer or thelike, so that the stored data can be appropriately accessed under thecontrol of the controller unit 110.

[0060] The nonvolatile memory shown in FIG. 5 (provided in thecontroller unit 110 shown in FIG. 1) has the size of 128 bytes, and theoption function flag according to the present embodiment is stored inthis memory. In FIG. 5, numeral 801 denotes a check sum area in which acheck sum value of four bytes for the nonvolatile memory is stored.Numeral 802 denotes a destination area in which OEM (original equipmentmanufacturer) information of four bytes is stored. Numeral 803 denotes adevice type area in which printer performance information of the imageforming apparatus in question is stored as a value of four bytes. Forexample, the printer performance information includes informationrepresenting whether or not the image forming apparatus in question is atype capable of performing color printing, information representingwhether or not the image forming apparatus in question is a type ofperforming black-and-white printing, performance informationrepresenting how many sheets the image forming apparatus in question canperform printing a minute, information representing whether or not theimage forming apparatus in question has a double-sided printingfunction, information representing whether or not the image formingapparatus in question has a stapling function, and the like. Numeral 804denotes a size destination area in which a four-byte flag representing arecording sheet size system (including, e.g., an AB system, an inchsystem, an A system, and the like).

[0061] Numeral 805 denotes a product ID area in which inherentinformation of the image forming apparatus in question is stored. Morespecifically, a 32-byte product ID (i.e., a serial number) which isdifferent in regard to each image forming apparatus is stored in theproduct ID area 805. In other words, when there are plural image formingapparatuses, the product ID of each image forming apparatus is madedifferent from others. Numeral 806 denotes an option function flag areain which the option function flag is stored. Here, it should be notedthat the option function flag is the flag to indicate which of theoption functions of the image forming apparatus has been validated orinvalidated. Finally, numeral 807 denotes a blank (unused) area.

[0062] Here, it is assumed that that, at present, (1) the securityfunction, (2) the network scanner function, and (3) the cooperationfunction associated with the document administration software are newlyset to the image forming apparatus in question. In such a state, theinformation representing validation and invalidation is stored andadministrated in regard to each function. More concretely, for example,each of the information representing that the function (1) isinvalidated (i.e., use of this function is inhibited), the informationrepresenting that the function (2) is validated (i.e., use of thisfunction is permitted), and the information representing that thefunction (3) is invalidated (i.e., use of this function is inhibited) isindependently stored and administrated. The information stored in theoption function flag area 806 is controlled to be written by thecontroller unit 110 under a predetermined condition, through theprocesses in the later-described flow chart or the like. Incidentally,it should be noted that the option functions will be later explained indetail.

[0063]FIG. 6 is a typical view showing an example of the format of an IDfile stored in an external storage medium such as a not-shown hard diskor the like connected to the external apparatus according to the presentinvention.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the case where the various data shownin FIG. 6 are stored in the external apparatus such as the host computeror the like will be mainly explained by way of example. However, suchthe data may be stored in another external apparatus such as anotherimage forming apparatus or the like.

[0065] In FIG. 6, numeral 808 denotes a check sum area in which a checksum value of four bytes for the ID file is stored. Numeral 809 denotesan update (year) area in which an ID file generation year is stored asfour-byte data, numeral 810 denotes an update (month) area in which anID file generation month is stored as four-byte data, and numeral 811denotes an update (date) area in which an ID file generation date isstored as four-byte data.

[0066] Moreover, numeral 812 denotes an update number area in whichinformation (i.e., a value) representing how many times the ID file isupdated is stored as four-byte data, numeral 813 denotes a manufacturerarea in which information (i.e., a value) representing a manufacturer isstored, and numeral 814 denotes a device type area in which printerperformance information of the image forming apparatus in question isstored as a value of four bytes. Numeral 815 denotes a product ID areain which an ID unique to the image forming apparatus is stored. Here,the stored ID is an image forming apparatus ID which is compared, in anID comparison unit, with the product ID stored in the product ID area805 of the nonvolatile memory. Finally, numeral 816 denotes a blank(unused) area.

[0067] That is, the data which is stored in the memory shown in FIG. 6set in the external apparatus is administration control informationwhich is valid only to the above one image forming apparatus owned bythe user (i.e., the user of the external apparatus).

[0068] Here, it is assumed that the ID file is administrated accordingto a serial number of a setup program and only one ID file is stored inregard to one setup program. Thus, if the setup program is illegally orunfairly duplicated, since the original setup program is identical withthe illegally duplicated setup program, the ID file of this program isshared by the user of the original setup program and the user of theduplicated setup program. In such a case, as shown in thelater-described flow charts of FIGS. 7A and 7B and FIGS. 13A and 13B, itis controlled that the option function cannot be set up for the pluralimage forming apparatuses by the illegally duplicated plural setupprograms.

[0069] By doing so, it is prevented in the present embodiment that thesetup program of the image forming apparatus is illegally used. That is,the present embodiment inhibits the user from performing the setupoperation of the option function to the plural image forming apparatusesby using one setup program. For example, it inhibits the user fromillegally duplicating or copying one predetermined setup program andusing the duplicated program to perform the setup operation. In otherwords, in a case of corresponding to the condition that the plural setupprograms are illegally obtained, it is controlled according to thelater-described comparison result of the product ID that the setupoperation of the option function to the plural image forming apparatusesis inhibited. On one hand, the present embodiment permits the user toperform the setup operation of the option function to only one imageforming apparatus by using one setup program.

[0070] Incidentally, in a case where the user rightly bought plural setsof setup programs, the ID file is created to each of the programs, andeach ID file is administrated according to the serial number of eachsetup program, whereby the option functions can be set up respectivelyto the plural image forming apparatuses.

[0071] That is, it permits the user who rightly obtained the pluralsetup programs by paying a fair price to perform the setup operation ofthe option function to the plural image forming apparatusescorresponding to these programs. As above, according to the presentembodiment, in case of corresponding to the condition that the pluralsetup programs are fairly obtained, it is controlled according to thelater-described comparison result of the product ID that the setupoperation of the option function to the plural image forming apparatusesis permitted.

[0072] Moreover, it is assumed that the ID file is encrypted and thenstored, whereby it is possible, for example, to prevent a user fromtempering with the ID file.

[0073] Moreover, it is assumed that the ID file is stored, with a namewhich cannot be easily understood by users (i.e., a name which is quiteirrelevant to a program name), at the location different from that wherethe program file is stored, whereby it is possible, for example, toprevent a user from tempering with and deleting the ID file morestrongly.

[0074] Incidentally, it should be noted that the external storage mediumsuch as the not-shown hard disk or the like which stores the ID fileshown in FIG. 6 and is connected to the external apparatus may beconnected to an external terminal of the external apparatus or to aninternal bus thereof. In other words, the above external storage mediummay be an integrated-type storage medium or a separated-type storagemedium.

[0075] Hereinafter, an option function setup processing procedure in thesystem to which the information processing apparatus and the imageforming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention are applicable will be explained with reference to flow chartsshown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

[0076] That is, FIGS. 7A and 7B are the flow charts showing the exampleof the option function setup processing procedure in the system to whichthe information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatusaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention areapplicable. More specifically, FIG. 7A shows the process on the externalapparatus side which is performed by not-shown CPU's in the PC's 401 and402 of FIG. 1 based on a program stored in the ROM, the hard disk orother storage medium, FIG. 7B shows the process on the image formingapparatus side which is performed by a not-shown CPU in the controllerunit 110 of FIG. 1 based on a program stored in the ROM, the hard disk600 or other storage medium, and symbols S1 to S23 shown in FIGS. 7A and7B respectively denote the steps which are to be performed in the optionfunction setup processing procedure. Incidentally, the feature of thepresent embodiment is to perform ID comparison on the external apparatusside.

[0077] First, in a step S1, on the image forming apparatus side, the“OK” key 701 on the option function setup mode screen 700 shown in FIG.4 is depressed to cause the image forming apparatus to operate in theoption function setup mode.

[0078] In such a state, an image forming apparatus option function setuptool is activated by the user on the external apparatus, and theexternal apparatus and the image forming apparatus are connected to eachother through the communication medium such as the LAN 400 or the likeso that the external apparatus and the image forming apparatus can bemutually communicated with each other. After then, in a step S2, on theexternal apparatus side, a product ID obtainment request for obtainingthe product ID is transmitted to the image forming apparatus through thecommunication medium.

[0079] Then, in a step S3, the product ID obtainment request transmittedfrom the external apparatus is received by the image forming apparatusthrough the communication medium. Further, in a step S4, the product IDwhich has been stored in the product ID area 805 of the nonvolatilememory (this memory is provided on the image forming apparatus side)shown in FIG. 5 is read. Then, in a step S5, the product ID stored inthe product ID area 805 is transmitted from the image forming apparatusto the external apparatus through the communication medium in responseto the product ID obtainment request command by the external apparatus(at this time, also the printer performance information of the imageforming apparatus stored in the device type area 803 is transmitted tothe external apparatus).

[0080] After that, in a step S6, the product ID transmitted from theimage forming apparatus is received by the external apparatus throughthe communication medium, and then it is judged in a step S7 whether ornot the ID file can be read (or obtained) from the not-shown externalstorage medium (i.e., the memory in which the data shown in FIG. 6 havebeen stored) connected to the external apparatus. If the ID file cannotbe read (or obtained) from the external storage medium (due to damage ofthe ID file, or no existence of the ID file), the flow advances to astep S8 to create or generate the ID file. Then, in a step S9, thecreated ID file is encrypted by the external apparatus. Here, it shouldbe noted that the encryption of the ID file may be performed in anymethod. After then, in a step S10, the encrypted ID file is stored inthe external storage medium by the external apparatus, and the flowadvances to a step S14.

[0081] On the other hand, if it is judged in the step S7 that the IDfile can be read (or obtained) from the external storage medium, then,in a step S11, the ID file is read and decrypted by the externalapparatus. Subsequently, on the external apparatus side, in a step S12,the image forming apparatus ID (i.e., the product ID stored in theproduct ID area 815) is read from the decrypted ID file (i.e., the datashown in FIG. 6), and, in a step S13, the read product ID is comparedwith the product ID received from the image forming apparatus side inthe step S6. Here, if it is judged that the product ID obtained from theimage forming apparatus coincides with the image forming apparatus IDstored in the external storage medium, the flow advances to the stepS14. In the step S14, an option ID and an operation mode input by theuser through an option operation screen displayed on a not-shown displayof the external apparatus are obtained, and the flow advances to a stepS16. Here, it should be noted that the option ID is the ID which is todiscriminate the option function of the image forming apparatus, and theoperation mode is the mode in which the operation to validate, toinvalidate or not to change the option function corresponding to theselected option ID is performed.

[0082] For example, in the case where the security function, the networkscanner function, and the cooperation function associated with thedocument administration software are set as the option functions of theimage forming apparatus, the option ID is previously given to each ofthese functions. Then, “no change” is set to the security functioncorresponding to an option ID (1), “validation” is set to the networkscanner function corresponding to an option ID (2), and “invalidation”is set to the cooperation function associated with the documentadministration software corresponding to an option ID (3), by the userthrough the option operation screen displayed on the external apparatus.Thus, the control information in regard to each of these functions isobtained in response to the setting by the user.

[0083] On the other hand, if it is judged in the step S13 that theproduct ID obtained from the image forming apparatus does not coincidewith the image forming apparatus ID stored in the external storagemedium, the flow advances to the step S15. In the step S15, the optionID is set to “0” and the operation mode is automatically set to “nochange,” and the flow further advances to the step S16.

[0084] Then, in the step S16, the option ID and the operation mode whichare obtained in the step S14 based on the setting from the user orautomatically determined in the step S15 after the result “NO” in thestep S13 are transmitted from the external apparatus to the imageforming apparatus through the communication medium. Here, it should benoted that the option ID and the operation mode are transmitted in thestate distinguishable in regard to each function.

[0085] By doing so, in a step S17, the option ID and the operation modewhich are transmitted from the external apparatus are received by theimage forming apparatus through the communication medium. Next, in astep S18, it is judged by the image forming apparatus whether or not thereceived operation mode has been set to “no change.” Here, if it isjudged that the received operation mode has been set to “no change,” theoption function flag corresponding to the option ID in the data shown inFIG. 5 is not rewritten as is, and the flow then advances to a step S22.On the other hand, if it is judged in the step S18 that the receivedoperation mode has been set to “change” (i.e., not “no change”), theflow advances to a step S19 to further judge whether or not theoperation mode has been set to “validation” (i.e., whether or not theoption function is to be validated).

[0086] Then, if it is judged in the step S19 that the operation mode hasbeen set to “validation,” the flow advances to a step S20. Here, on thememory map shown in FIG. 5, the data of the option function flag area806 corresponding to the received option ID is rewritten into “1” by theimage forming apparatus to validate the option function so that theimage forming apparatus can execute the option function in question.Then, the flow advances to the step S22.

[0087] Therefore, for example, if the option function which has beenvalidated by rewriting the data of the option function flag area 806from “0” into “1” is the network scanner function, it is controlled thatthe network scanner function can be used by the user in the imageforming apparatus until the data value of the option function flag areais rewritten in the future.

[0088] On the other hand, if it is judged in the step S19 that theoperation mode has been set to “invalidation,” the flow advances to astep S21. Here, on the memory map shown in FIG. 5, the data of theoption function flag area 806 corresponding to the received option ID isrewritten into “0” by the image forming apparatus to invalidate theoption function so that the image forming apparatus cannot execute theoption function in question. Then, the flow advances to the step S22.

[0089] Therefore, for example, if the option function which has beenvalidated by rewriting the data of the option function flag area 806from “1” into “0” is the cooperation function associated with thedocument administration software, it is controlled that a use of thecooperation function associated with the document administrationsoftware is inhibited in the image forming apparatus until the datavalue of the option function flag area is rewritten in the future.

[0090] Finally, in the step S22, a setting result of the option functionflag (i.e., “writing ends in success,” “writing ends in failure,” or “nowriting”) is transmitted from the image forming apparatus to theexternal apparatus through the communication medium, and the process onthe image forming apparatus side ends.

[0091] Then, in a step S23, the setting result transmitted from theimage forming apparatus is received by the external apparatus throughthe communication medium and notified to the user through the display orthe like of the external apparatus in question, and the process on theexternal apparatus side ends.

[0092] As explained above, only in the case where the image formingapparatus ID of the ID file stored in the external storage medium of theexternal apparatus coincides with the product ID stored in thenonvolatile memory of the image forming apparatus or in the case wherethe ID file does not exist, the option function can be set up from theexternal apparatus in question. Thus circumstanced, even if the user(i.e., malicious user) illegally duplicates the setup program with anevil intention, since the illegally duplicated plural setup programs arethe identical program to which only the identical (or unique) ID file isused, he can merely set up the option function only for one imageforming apparatus.

[0093] In other words, the program data of FIG. 6 including the productID area 815 is the product ID corresponding to the product ID area 815,and it is controlled to be able to set validation and invalidation ofthe option function only for the image forming apparatus which isadministrated based on the data shown in FIG. 5 including the product IDarea 805.

[0094] Then, it is controlled that the program data of FIG. 6 includingthe product ID area 815 comes to be invalidated in regard to the imageforming apparatuses other than the image forming apparatus in questionwhich is administrated based on the data shown in FIG. 5 including theproduct ID area 805. Therefore, for example, even if the data showing inFIG. 6 including the product ID area 815 is used, it is controlled notto be able to set validation and invalidation of the option function inregard to the image forming apparatuses other than the image formingapparatus in question in the system to which the information processingapparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the presentembodiment are applicable.

[0095] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the conventional problemthat, if the user who owns only one setup program illegally duplicatesit with the evil intention, the option function can be validated for theplural image forming apparatuses. Moreover, since the ID comparisonprocess is performed on the external apparatus side, it is unnecessaryto change the programs on the plural image forming apparatus sides evenif the ID comparison method is changed, whereby there is a significanteffect of improving the correction operation in the option functionsetup procedure.

[0096] Incidentally, as the option functions of the image formingapparatus, there are (1) the security function, (2) the network scannerfunction, (3) the cooperation function associated with the documentadministration software, and the like. Here, it should be noted that theoption functions which can be set according to the present invention arenot limited to the above functions (1) to (3).

[0097] Hereinafter, each option function will be explained.

[0098] (1) Security Function

[0099] The function to inhibit from displaying the history of the jobwhich has been input to the image forming apparatus

[0100] The function to overwrite, in a case where the image data whichhas been scanned by the reader unit of the image forming apparatus andthen stored in the hard disk of the image forming apparatus becomesuseless, the image data in question by random data

[0101] (2) Network Scanner Function

[0102] The function to control, from the external apparatus which isconnected to the image forming apparatus through the network, thescanner function of the image forming apparatus and store the image dataobtained due to the scanner function in the hard disk of the externalapparatus

[0103] (3) Cooperation Function Associated With Document AdministrationSoftware

[0104] The function to enable document administration software, which isrunning on the external apparatus connected to the image formingapparatus through the network, to administrate the image data which hasbeen stored in the hard disk of the image forming apparatus

[0105] Hereinafter, the setup operation procedure of (1) the securityfunction will be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12.

[0106] FIGS. 8 to 12 are typical views showing an example of a securityoption function setup operation screen in an image forming apparatusoption function setup tool which is activated on the external apparatusaccording to the present invention, and the security option functionsetup operation screen is displayed on the not-shown monitor of the PC401 or 402 shown in FIG. 1.

[0107] That is, on the image forming apparatus side, the “OK” key 701 onthe option function setup mode screen 700 shown in FIG. 4 is depressedto cause the image forming apparatus to operate in the option functionsetup mode (corresponding to the process in the step S1 of FIG. 7B), andthe image forming apparatus option function (security) setup tool isactivated on the external apparatus. By such operations, an operationscreen 900 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the monitor of the externalapparatus.

[0108] Here, as shown in FIG. 1, since the system according to thepresent invention consists of the external apparatus and the imageforming apparatus which are connected to each other through the LAN 400,a check box “NETWORK” 902 is selected by a not-shown pointing device ofthe external apparatus, and an IP address of the image forming apparatusis input in an input area 903 by using a not-shown keyboard of theexternal apparatus. On the other hand, if the system according to thepresent invention adopts parallel connection, a check box“BI-CENTRONICS” 901 is selected.

[0109] Then, when an “OK” key 905 is clicked on the operation screen900, an operation screen 1000 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on themonitor of the external apparatus. On the other hand, when an “END” key904 is clicked, the image forming apparatus option function (security)setup tool ends.

[0110] Here, as described above, since the external apparatus and theimage forming apparatus are connected to each other through the LAN 400and the image forming apparatus has already entered into the optionfunction setup mode, an “OK” key 1002 is clicked as it is on theoperation screen 1000 shown in FIG. 9. On one hand, when a “CANCEL” key1001 is clicked, the image forming apparatus option function (security)setup tool ends.

[0111] Incidentally, when the external apparatus and the image formingapparatus are not connected to each other, a parallel cable connectionoperation is performed according to the following procedures 1 and 2which are displayed on the operation screen 1000.

[0112] That is, in the procedure 1, the power source of the imageforming apparatus is turned off, and the external apparatus and theimage forming apparatus are connected to each other through theCentronics parallel cable.

[0113] Then, in the procedure 2, the power source of the image formingapparatus is again turned on, and the “OK” key 1002 is clicked.

[0114] Incidentally, an operation screen 1100 shown in FIG. 10 isdisplayed on the monitor of the external apparatus, for example, in thecase where the “OK” key 1002 is clicked on the operation screen 1000shown in FIG. 9, the processes in the steps S2 to S13 shown in FIG. 7Aare performed, and the image forming apparatus ID coincides with theproduct ID.

[0115] When an “OK” key 1102 is clicked on the operation screen 1100,the security option function is validated, while when a “CANCEL” key1101 is clicked, the security option function is invalidated.

[0116] Incidentally, when the “OK” key 1102 or the “CANCEL” key 1101 isclicked on the operation screen 1100 shown in FIG. 10, the option IDcorresponding to the security option and the information representingwhich of the “OK” key 1102 and the “CANCEL” key 1101 is clicked areobtained by the external apparatus (corresponding to the step S14 inFIG. 7A), and the option ID and the operation mode are then transmittedto the image forming apparatus (corresponding to the step S16 in FIG.7A). Hereinafter, the explanation continues on the premise that the “OK”key 1102 is clicked. Then, the processes in the steps S17 to S22 shownin FIG. 7B are performed on the image forming apparatus side, and anoperation screen 1200 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the monitor ofthe external apparatus when the option function flag setting result (itis assumed to “writing ends in success” in this case) transmitted fromthe image forming apparatus is received by the external apparatus(corresponding to the step S23 shown in FIG. 7A).

[0117] After then, when an “END” key 1201 is clicked on the operationscreen 1200 shown in FIG. 11, an operation screen 1300 shown in FIG. 12is displayed on the monitor of the external apparatus.

[0118] At the last, the setting state of the security option isconfirmed according to the following procedures 1 and 2 which aredisplayed on the operation screen 1300 shown in FIG. 12.

[0119] That is, in the procedure 1, the power source of the imageforming apparatus is once turned off, and then this power source isagain turned on (after the cable is removed when the external apparatusand the image forming apparatus are connected to each other through theCentronics parallel cable).

[0120] Then, in the procedure 2, it enters the image forming apparatusinto a service mode to confirm that the security option has beenvalidated in the user mode. If it is confirmed that the security optionhas been validated in the user mode, the service mode of the imageforming apparatus ends.

[0121] Subsequently, if an “OK” key 1301 is clicked on the operationscreen 1300 displayed on the monitor of the external apparatus, thesetup tool ends.

[0122] (Second Embodiment)

[0123] In the above first embodiment, the case of performing the IDcomparison on the external apparatus side is explained. However, it ispossible to perform the ID comparison on the image forming apparatusside. Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention inwhich the ID comparison is performed on the image forming apparatus sidewill be explained.

[0124] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the entirestructures of an image input/output apparatus, an option function setupmode screen, a nonvolatile memory storing a product ID, an ID file andthe like are substantially the same as those in the above firstembodiment.

[0125] Hereinafter, an option function setup processing procedure in asystem to which an information processing apparatus and an image formingapparatus according to the second embodiment of the present inventionare applicable will be explained with reference to flow charts shown inFIGS. 13A and 13B.

[0126] That is, FIGS. 13A and 13B are the flow charts showing an exampleof the option function setup processing procedure in the system to whichthe information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatusaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention areapplicable. More specifically, FIG. 13A shows the process on theexternal apparatus side which is performed by the not-shown CPU's in thePC's 401 and 402 of FIG. 1 based on a program stored in a ROM, a harddisk or other storage medium, FIG. 13B shows the process on the imageforming apparatus side which is performed by the not-shown CPU in thecontroller unit 110 of FIG. 1 based on a program stored in the ROM, thehard disk 600 or other storage medium, and symbols S101 to S121 shown inFIGS. 13A and 13B respectively denote the steps which are to beperformed in the option function setup processing procedure.

[0127] First, in a step S101, on the image forming apparatus side, the“OK” key 701 on the option function setup mode screen 700 shown in FIG.4 is depressed to cause the image forming apparatus to operate in anoption function setup mode.

[0128] In such a state, an image forming apparatus option function setuptool is activated by a user on the external apparatus, and the externalapparatus and the image forming apparatus are connected to each otherthrough the communication medium such as the LAN 400 or the like. Then,it is judged in a step S102 whether or not the ID file can be read (orobtained) from the not-shown external storage medium connected to theexternal apparatus. If it is judged that the ID file can be read (orobtained) from the external storage medium, then, in a step S103, the IDfile is read and decrypted by the external apparatus. Subsequently, onthe external apparatus side, in a step S104, an image forming apparatusID (i.e., the product ID stored in the product ID area 815) is read fromthe decrypted ID file, and the flow advances to a step S106.

[0129] On the other hand, if it is judged in the step S102 that the IDfile cannot be read (or obtained) from the external storage medium (dueto damage of the ID file, or no existence of the ID file), the flowadvances to a step S105. Then, in the step S105, the image formingapparatus ID is provisionally set to “0” on the external apparatus side.

[0130] In the step S106, on the external apparatus side, an option IDand an operation mode input by the user through a not-shown optionoperation screen displayed on the external apparatus are obtained, andthe flow advances to a step S107. Here, it should be noted that theoption ID is the ID which is to discriminate the option function of theimage forming apparatus, and the operation mode is the mode in which theoperation to validate, to invalidate or not to change the optionfunction corresponding to the selected option ID is performed.

[0131] Then, in the step S107, the option ID, the operation mode and theimage forming apparatus ID are transmitted from the external apparatusto the image forming apparatus through the communication medium.

[0132] After then, in a step S108, the option ID, the operation mode andthe image forming apparatus ID which are transmitted from the externalapparatus are received by the image forming apparatus through thecommunication medium. Next, in a step S109, the product ID which hasbeen stored in the product ID area 805 of the nonvolatile memory shownin FIG. 5 is read, and then it is judged in a step S110 whether or notthe value of the image forming apparatus ID received from the externalapparatus is “0.” If it is judged that the value of the image formingapparatus ID is “0,” the flow advances to a step S112 as it is.

[0133] On the other hand, if it is judged by the image forming apparatusin the step S110 whether or not the value of the image forming apparatusID received from the external apparatus is not “0,” the flow advances toa step S111 to judge whether or not the received image forming apparatusID coincides with the product ID read from the nonvolatile memory. If itis judged that the received image forming apparatus ID does not coincidewith the product ID read from the nonvolatile memory, the flow directlyadvances to a step S116.

[0134] On the other hand, if it is judged in the step S111 that thereceived image forming apparatus ID coincides with the product ID readfrom the nonvolatile memory, the flow advances to the step S112. In thestep S112, it is judged by the image forming apparatus whether or notthe received operation mode has been set to “no change.” Here, if it isjudged that the received operation mode has been set to “no change,” theflow directly advances to the step S116. On the other hand, if it isjudged in the step S112 that the received operation mode has been set to“change,” the flow advances to a step S113 to further judge whether ornot the operation mode has been set to “validation.”

[0135] If it is judged in the step S113 that the operation mode has beenset to “validation,” the flow further advances to a step S114. In thestep S114, the data of the option function flag area 806 correspondingto the received option ID is rewritten into “1” by the image formingapparatus to validate the option function so that the image formingapparatus can execute the option function in question. Then, the flowadvances to the step S116.

[0136] On the other hand, if it is judged in the step S113 that theoperation mode has been set to “invalidation,” the flow further advancesto a step S115. In the step S115, the data of the option function flagarea 806 corresponding to the received option ID is rewritten into “0”by the image forming apparatus to invalidate the option function so thatthe image forming apparatus cannot execute the option function inquestion. Then, the flow advances to the step S116.

[0137] Finally, in the step S116, a setting result of the optionfunction flag (i.e., “writing ends in success,” “writing ends infailure,” or “no writing”) is transmitted from the image formingapparatus to the external apparatus through the communication medium,and the process on the image forming apparatus side ends.

[0138] Then, in a step S117, the setting result transmitted from theimage forming apparatus is received by the external apparatus throughthe communication medium. Subsequently, it is judged in a step S118whether or not the ID file exists in the not-shown external storagemedium connected to the external apparatus. If it is judged that the IDfile exists in the external storage medium, the process on the externalapparatus side ends as it is.

[0139] On the other hand, if it is judged in the step S118 that the IDfile does not exist in the external storage medium, the flow advances toa step S119 to create or generate the ID file. Then, in a step S120, thecreated ID file is encrypted by the external apparatus. Here, it shouldbe noted that the encryption of the ID file may be performed in anymethod.

[0140] After then, in a step S121, the encrypted ID file is stored inthe external storage medium by the external apparatus, and the processon the external apparatus ends.

[0141] As explained above, only in the case where the image formingapparatus ID of the ID file stored in the external storage medium of theexternal apparatus coincides with the product ID stored in thenonvolatile memory of the image forming apparatus or in the case wherethe ID file does not exist, the option function is set up. Thuscircumstanced, even if the user illegally duplicates or copies the setupprogram with an evil intention, since the illegally duplicated pluralsetup programs are the identical program to which only the identical (orunique) ID file is used, he can merely set up the option function onlyfor one image forming apparatus.

[0142] Therefore, in the case where the product ID stored in theexternal storage medium connected to the external apparatus coincideswith the product ID stored in the nonvolatile memory of the imageforming apparatus, it is possible to validate and invalidate theexpansion function of the image forming apparatus. For this reason, itis possible to prevent the conventional problem that, if the user whoowns only one setup program illegally duplicates it with the evilintention, the option function can be validated for the plural imageforming apparatuses. Moreover, since the ID comparison process isperformed on the image forming apparatus side, there is a significanteffect of making falsification of the program on the external apparatusside difficult for a malicious user.

[0143] Incidentally, in the above embodiment, when the ID file does notexist on the external apparatus side, the own ID of the image formingapparatus itself is obtained from the image forming apparatus inquestion, the ID file is created (or generated) by using the obtainedown ID as the image forming apparatus ID, the created ID file isencrypted and stored, and then the image forming apparatus is permittedto perform the option function setup process on the basis of the storedID file. However, when the ID file exists on the external apparatusside, even in a case where any image forming apparatus ID is not storedin the ID file, it is similarly possible to update the ID file by usingthe own ID obtained from the image forming apparatus in question as theimage forming apparatus ID, and it is also possible to permit the imageforming apparatus to perform the option function setup process.

[0144] Moreover, it is possible to structure the image forming apparatusaccording to the present invention so as not to include any unitcorresponding to the reader unit 200 as in the image input/output system100 shown in FIG. 1.

[0145] Moreover, the image forming apparatus according to the presentinvention can be applied to an apparatus which consists of a singlecomponent or to a system which consists of plural apparatuses.

[0146] Moreover, the present invention can be applied not only to thecase where the printer unit 300 shown in FIG. 1 adopts the laser beamsystem but also to a case where the printer unit 300 adopts anelectrophotographic system (e.g., an LED system) other than the laserbeam system, a liquid-crystal shutter system, an inkjet system, athermal-transfer system, a dye sublimation system, or other system.

[0147] As described above, only in the case where the image formingapparatus ID of the ID file stored in the external storage mediumcoincides with the product ID stored in the nonvolatile memory of theimage forming apparatus or in the case where the ID file does not exist,the option function is set up. By doing so, even if the user illegallyduplicates or copies the setup program with an evil intention, since theillegally duplicated plural setup programs are the identical program towhich only the identical (or unique) ID file is used, he can merely setup the option function only for one image forming apparatus. Therefore,it is possible to prevent the conventional problem that, if the user whoowns only one setup program illegally duplicates it with the evilintention, the option function can be validated for the plural imageforming apparatuses.

[0148] Moreover, according to the above first embodiment, since the IDcomparison process is performed on the external apparatus side, it isunnecessary to change the programs on the plural image forming apparatussides even if the ID comparison method is changed, whereby there is thesignificant effect of improving the correction operation in the optionfunction setup procedure.

[0149] Besides, according to the above second embodiment, since the IDcomparison means is provided on the image forming apparatus side, thereis the significant effect of making falsification of the program on theexternal apparatus side difficult for the malicious user.

[0150] Hereinafter, the structures of data processing programs which canbe read by the system to which the information processing apparatus andthe image forming apparatus according to the present invention areapplicable will be explained with reference to a memory map shown inFIG. 14.

[0151]FIG. 14 is the typical view for explaining an example of thememory map of the storage medium which stores the various dataprocessing programs capable of being read by the system to which theinformation processing apparatus and the image forming apparatusaccording to the present invention are applicable.

[0152] Incidentally, although it is not particularly illustrated,information such as version information, information concerning aprogram creator, and the like for administrating the program groupstored in the storage medium is stored together with the program groupitself. Besides, information (e.g., an icon for discriminativelydisplaying a program) which depends on an OS or the like on the programreading side might be stored together.

[0153] Moreover, various data according to the various programs are heldand administrated in a directory on the above storage medium. Besides,in a case where a program and data to be installed have been compressed,a program or the like to decompress the compressed program and datamight be stored together.

[0154] The functions which are shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 13A and 13Baccording to the embodiments of the present invention may be executed bya host computer on the basis of an externally installed program. In thisinstance, the present invention is of course applied even to a casewhere an information group including the program is supplied to anoutput apparatus from storage media such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory andthe like or from an external storage medium through a network.

[0155] As described above, it is needless to say that the object of thepresent invention can be achieved in a case where a storage mediumstoring the program codes of software to realize the functions of theabove embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus and then acomputer (or CPU or MPU) in the system or the apparatus reads andexecutes the program codes stored in the storage medium.

[0156] In this case, the program codes themselves read from the storagemedium realize the new functions of the present invention, whereby thestorage medium storing these program codes constitutes the presentinvention.

[0157] As the storage medium from which the program codes are supplied,e.g., a floppy(TM) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magnetoopticaldisk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a DVD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memorycard, a ROM, an EEPROM, a silicon disk and the like can be used.

[0158] Moreover, it is needless to say that the present inventionincludes not only a case where the functions of the above embodimentsare realized by executing the program codes read by the computer, butalso a case where an OS (operating system) or the like functioning onthe computer executes a part or all of the actual process according tothe instructions of the program codes, and the functions of the aboveembodiments are achieved by such processes.

[0159] Moreover, it is needless to say that the present invention alsoincludes a case where, after the program codes read from the storagemedium are written into a function expansion board inserted in thecomputer or a memory in a function expansion unit connected to thecomputer, a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board orthe function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actualprocesses on the basis of the instructions of the program codes, andthus the functions of the above embodiments are realized by suchprocesses.

[0160] The present invention is applicable to a system composed ofplural apparatuses or to a single apparatus. Moreover, it is needless tosay that the present invention is also applicable to a case where thefunctions of the above embodiments are realized by supplying a programto the system or the apparatus. In this case, when the storage mediumstoring the program represented by the software for achieving thepresent invention is read by the system or the apparatus, the system orthe apparatus can obtain the significant effects of the presentinvention.

[0161] Moreover, when the program represented by the software forachieving the present invention is downloaded and read from a databaseon a network on the basis of a communication program, the system or theapparatus can obtain the significant effects of the present invention.

[0162] As explained above, according to the present invention, in thecase where only one image forming apparatus ID which is stored in theinformation processing apparatus coincides with the own ID of the imageforming apparatus itself which is stored in the image forming apparatus,it is controlled to perform the setup process to the option function ofthe image forming apparatus in accordance with the information whichconcerns the validation and invalidation of the option function of theimage forming apparatus and is instructed on the information processingapparatus. On the other hand, in the case where only one image formingapparatus ID which is stored in the information processing apparatusdoes not coincide with the own ID of the image forming apparatus itselfwhich is stored in the image forming apparatus, it is controlled not toperform the setup process to the option function of the image formingapparatus according to the information which concerns the validation andinvalidation of the option function of the image forming apparatus andis instructed on the information processing apparatus. Therefore, evenif the malicious user illegally or unfairly duplicates or copies thesetup program, he can merely set up the option function for only oneimage forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to prevent theconventional problem that the malicious user who owns only one setupprogram illegally or unfairly duplicates it with evil intention and thushe can validate or invalidate the option function for the plural imageforming apparatuses.

[0163] As many apparently widely different embodiments of the presentinvention can be made without departing from the spirit and scopethereof, it is to be understood that the present invention is notlimited to the specific embodiments thereof expect as defined in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus which can setup an option function of an image forming apparatus capable of beingcommunicated with said information processing apparatus through apredetermined communication medium, said information processingapparatus comprising: instruction means for instructing validation andinvalidation of the option function of said image forming apparatus;obtaining means for obtaining an own ID of said image forming apparatusitself, from said image forming apparatus which has entered into a setupmode to perform a setup operation of the option function; memory meansfor storing only one image forming apparatus ID; comparison means forcomparing the image forming apparatus ID stored in said memory meanswith the own ID of said image forming apparatus itself obtained by saidobtaining means; and control means for performing control to notify saidimage forming apparatus of information concerning the validation andinvalidation of the option function of said image forming apparatusinstructed by said instruction means in a case where the image formingapparatus ID stored in said memory means coincides with the own ID ofsaid image forming apparatus itself obtained from said image formingapparatus by said obtaining means, and not to notify said image formingapparatus of the information concerning the validation and invalidationof the option function of said image forming apparatus instructed bysaid instruction means in a case where the image forming apparatus IDstored in said memory means does not coincide with the own ID of saidimage forming apparatus itself obtained from said image formingapparatus by said obtaining means.
 2. An information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the imageforming apparatus ID does not exist in said memory means, said controlmeans performs control to store as the image forming apparatus ID theown ID obtained from said image forming apparatus in said memory meansand to notify said image forming apparatus of the information concerningthe validation and invalidation of the option function of said imageforming apparatus instructed by said instruction means.
 3. Aninformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidmemory means encrypts the image forming apparatus ID and then stores theencrypted image forming apparatus ID, and further includes decryptionmeans for decrypting the image forming apparatus ID encrypted and storedin said memory means.
 4. An information processing apparatus which canset up an option function of an image forming apparatus capable of beingcommunicated with said information processing apparatus through apredetermined communication medium, said information processingapparatus comprising: instruction means for instructing validation andinvalidation of the option function of said image forming apparatus;memory means for storing only one image forming apparatus ID; andnotification means for notifying said image forming apparatus ofinformation concerning the validation and invalidation of the optionfunction of said image forming apparatus instructed by said instructionmeans and the image forming apparatus ID stored in said memory means. 5.An information processing apparatus according to claim 4, furthercomprising obtaining means for obtaining an own ID of said image formingapparatus itself, from said image forming apparatus which has enteredinto a setup mode to perform a setup operation of the option function.6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 4, whereinsaid memory means encrypts the image forming apparatus ID and thenstores the encrypted image forming apparatus ID, and further includesdecryption means for decrypting the image forming apparatus ID encryptedand stored in said memory means.
 7. An image forming apparatus which hasan option function and can communicate with an information processingapparatus through a predetermined communication medium, said imageforming apparatus comprising: memory means for storing an own ID of saidimage forming apparatus itself; notification means for notifying, inresponse to a request sent from said information processing apparatus,said information processing apparatus of the own ID of said imageforming apparatus itself stored in said memory means; and control meansfor performing, based on information concerning validation andinvalidation of the option function notified from said informationprocessing apparatus, setting and control so as to validate andinvalidate the option function.
 8. An image forming apparatus accordingto claim 7, further comprising change means for changing a mode to asetup mode to perform setting of the option function, wherein, in astate that said image forming apparatus has entered into the setup modeby said changing means, said notification means notifies, in response tothe request sent from said information processing apparatus, saidinformation processing apparatus of the own ID of said image formingapparatus itself.
 9. An image forming apparatus which has an optionfunction and can communicate with an information processing apparatusthrough a predetermined communication medium, said image formingapparatus comprising: memory means for storing an own ID of said imageforming apparatus itself; obtaining means for obtaining informationconcerning validation and invalidation of the option function and animage forming apparatus ID, notified from said information processingapparatus; comparison means for comparing the image forming apparatus IDobtained from said information processing apparatus with the own ID ofsaid image forming apparatus itself stored in said memory means; andcontrol means for performing control to perform setting so as tovalidate and invalidate the option function on the basis of theinformation concerning the validation and invalidation of the optionfunction notified from said information processing apparatus in a casewhere the image forming apparatus ID obtained form said informationprocessing apparatus coincides with the own ID of said image formingapparatus itself stored in said memory means, and not to perform thesetting of the option function in a case where the image formingapparatus ID obtained form said information processing apparatus doesnot coincide with the own ID of said image forming apparatus itselfstored in said memory means.
 10. An image forming apparatus according toclaim 9, further comprising change means for changing a mode to a setupmode to perform setting of the option function, wherein, in a state thatsaid image forming apparatus has entered into the setup mode by saidchanging means, said notification means notifies, in response to arequest sent from said information processing apparatus, saidinformation processing apparatus of the own ID of said image formingapparatus itself.
 11. An option function setup method which sets up anoption function of an image forming apparatus from an informationprocessing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus through acommunication medium, said method comprising: an instruction step ofinstructing validation and invalidation of the option function of theimage forming apparatus from the information processing apparatus; acomparison step of comparing only one image forming apparatus ID storedin the information processing apparatus with an own ID of the imageforming apparatus itself stored in the image forming apparatus; a setupstep of performing, in a case where as a compared result in saidcomparison step only one image forming apparatus ID stored in theinformation processing apparatus coincides with the own ID of the imageforming apparatus itself stored in the image forming apparatus, a setupprocess to the option function of the image forming apparatus accordingto information concerning the validation and invalidation of the optionfunction of the image forming apparatus instructed on the informationprocessing apparatus side; and a non setup step of not performing, in acase where as a compared result in said comparison step only one imageforming apparatus ID stored in the information processing apparatus doesnot coincide with the own ID of the image forming apparatus itselfstored in the image forming apparatus, the setup process to the optionfunction of the image forming apparatus according to the informationconcerning the validation and invalidation of the option function of theimage forming apparatus instructed on the information processingapparatus side.
 12. An option function setup method according to claim11, further comprising a storing step of storing the own ID of the imageforming apparatus itself as the image forming apparatus ID in a casewhere any image forming apparatus ID does not exist in the informationprocessing apparatus, wherein said setup step performs the setup processto the option function of the image forming apparatus even in the casewhere any image forming apparatus ID does not exist in the informationprocessing apparatus.
 13. An option function setup method according toclaim 11, further comprising a setup mode change step of changing a modeof the image forming apparatus to a setup mode to perform setting of theoption function of the image forming apparatus.
 14. An option functionsetup method according to claim 11, wherein the image forming apparatusID is encrypted and then stored in the information processing apparatus,and said method further comprises a description step of decrypting theencrypted and stored image forming apparatus ID.
 15. An option functionsetup method of an information processing apparatus which can set up anoption function of an image forming apparatus capable of beingcommunicated with the information processing apparatus through apredetermined communication medium, said method comprising: aninstruction step of instructing validation and invalidation of theoption function of the image forming apparatus; an obtaining step ofobtaining an own ID of the image forming apparatus itself from the imageforming apparatus which has entered into a setup mode to perform a setupoperation of the option function; a comparison step of comparing onlyone image forming apparatus ID stored in a memory with the own ID of theimage forming apparatus itself obtained in said obtaining step; anotification step of notifying the image forming apparatus ofinformation concerning the validation and invalidation of the optionfunction of the image forming apparatus instructed in said instructionstep, in a case where the image forming apparatus ID coincides with theown ID of the image forming apparatus itself; and a non notificationstep of not notifying the image forming apparatus of the informationconcerning the validation and invalidation of the option function of theimage forming apparatus instructed in said instruction step, in a casewhere the image forming apparatus ID does not coincide with the own IDof the image forming apparatus itself.
 16. An option function setupmethod of an information processing apparatus which can set up an optionfunction of an image forming apparatus capable of being communicatedwith the information processing apparatus through a predeterminedcommunication medium, said method comprising: an instruction step ofinstructing validation and invalidation of the option function of theimage forming apparatus; and a notification step of notifying the imageforming apparatus of information concerning the validation andinvalidation of the option function of the image forming apparatusinstructed in said instruction step and only one image forming apparatusID stored in a memory.
 17. An option function setup method of an imageforming apparatus which has an option function and can communicate withan information processing apparatus through a predeterminedcommunication medium, said method comprising: a notification step ofnotifying, in response to a request sent from the information processingapparatus, the information processing apparatus of an own ID of theimage forming apparatus itself stored in a memory; and a setting step ofperforming, based on information concerning validation and invalidationof the option function notified from the information processingapparatus, setting so as to validate and invalidate the option function.18. An option function setup method of an image forming apparatus whichhas an option function and can communicate with an informationprocessing apparatus through a predetermined communication medium, saidmethod comprising: an obtaining step of obtaining information concerningvalidation and invalidation of the option function and an image formingapparatus ID, notified from the information processing apparatus; acomparison step of comparing the image forming apparatus ID obtainedfrom the information processing apparatus with an own ID of the imageforming apparatus itself stored in a memory; a setting step ofperforming setting so as to validate and invalidate the option functionon the basis of the information concerning the validation andinvalidation of the option function notified from the informationprocessing apparatus, in a case where the image forming apparatus IDobtained form the information processing apparatus coincides with theown ID of the image forming apparatus itself stored in the memory; and anon setting step of not performing the setting of the option functionbased on the information concerning the validation and invalidation ofthe option function notified from the information processing apparatus,in a case where the image forming apparatus ID obtained form theinformation processing apparatus does not coincide with the own ID ofthe image forming apparatus itself stored in the memory.
 19. A programwhich is used to execute an option function setup method of aninformation processing apparatus which can set up an option function ofan image forming apparatus capable of being communicated with theinformation processing apparatus through a predetermined communicationmedium, said method comprising: an instruction step of instructingvalidation and invalidation of the option function of the image formingapparatus; an obtaining step of obtaining an own ID of the image formingapparatus itself from the image forming apparatus which has entered intoa setup mode to perform a setup operation of the option function; acomparison step of comparing only one image forming apparatus ID storedin a memory with the own ID of the image forming apparatus itselfobtained in said obtaining step; a notification step of notifying theimage forming apparatus of information concerning the validation andinvalidation of the option function of the image forming apparatusinstructed in said instruction step, in a case where the image formingapparatus ID coincides with the own ID of the image forming apparatusitself; and a non notification step of not notifying the image formingapparatus of the information concerning the validation and invalidationof the option function of the image forming apparatus instructed in saidinstruction step, in a case where the image forming apparatus ID doesnot coincide with the own ID of the image forming apparatus itself. 20.A program which is used to execute an option function setup method of aninformation processing apparatus which can set up an option function ofan image forming apparatus capable of being communicated with theinformation processing apparatus through a predetermined communicationmedium, said method comprising: an instruction step of instructingvalidation and invalidation of the option function of the image formingapparatus; and a notification step of notifying the image formingapparatus of information concerning the validation and invalidation ofthe option function of the image forming apparatus instructed in saidinstruction step and only one image forming apparatus ID stored in amemory.
 21. A program which is used to execute an option function setupmethod of an image forming apparatus which has an option function andcan communicate with an information processing apparatus through apredetermined communication medium, said method comprising: anotification step of notifying, in response to a request sent from theinformation processing apparatus, the information processing apparatusof an own ID of the image forming apparatus itself stored in a memory;and a setting step of performing, based on information concerningvalidation and invalidation of the option function notified from theinformation processing apparatus, setting so as to validate andinvalidate the option function.
 22. A program which is used to executean option function setup method of an image forming apparatus which hasan option function and can communicate with an information processingapparatus through a predetermined communication medium, said methodcomprising: an obtaining step of obtaining information concerningvalidation and invalidation of the option function and an image formingapparatus ID, notified from the information processing apparatus; acomparison step of comparing the image forming apparatus ID obtainedfrom the information processing apparatus with an own ID of the imageforming apparatus itself stored in a memory; a setting step ofperforming setting so as to validate and invalidate the option functionon the basis of the information concerning the validation andinvalidation of the option function notified from the informationprocessing apparatus, in a case where the image forming apparatus IDobtained form the . information processing apparatus coincides with theown ID of the image forming apparatus itself stored in the memory; and anon setting step of not performing the setting of the option functionbased on the information concerning the validation and invalidation ofthe option function notified from the information processing apparatus,in a case where the image forming apparatus ID obtained form theinformation processing apparatus does not coincide with the own ID ofthe image forming apparatus itself stored in the memory.
 23. A storagemedium which computer-readably stores a program to execute an optionfunction setup method of an information processing apparatus which canset up an option function of an image forming apparatus capable of beingcommunicated with the information processing apparatus through apredetermined communication medium, said method comprising: aninstruction step of instructing validation and invalidation of theoption function of the image forming apparatus; an obtaining step ofobtaining an own ID of the image forming apparatus itself from the imageforming apparatus which has entered into a setup mode to perform a setupoperation of the option function; a comparison step of comparing onlyone image forming apparatus ID stored in a memory with the own ID of theimage forming apparatus itself obtained in said obtaining step; anotification step of notifying the image forming apparatus ofinformation concerning the validation and invalidation of the optionfunction of the image forming apparatus instructed in said instructionstep, in a case where the image forming apparatus ID coincides with theown ID of the image forming apparatus itself; and a non notificationstep of not notifying the image forming apparatus of the informationconcerning the validation and invalidation of the option function of theimage forming apparatus instructed in said instruction step, in a casewhere the image forming apparatus ID does not coincide with the own IDof the image forming apparatus itself.
 24. A storage medium whichcomputer-readably stores a program to execute an option function setupmethod of an information processing apparatus which can set up an optionfunction of an image forming apparatus capable of being communicatedwith the information processing apparatus through a predeterminedcommunication medium, said method comprising: an instruction step ofinstructing validation and invalidation of the option function of theimage forming apparatus; and a notification step of notifying the imageforming apparatus of information concerning the validation andinvalidation of the option function of the image forming apparatusinstructed in said instruction step and only one image forming apparatusID stored in a memory.
 25. A storage medium which computer-readablystores a program to execute an option function setup method of an imageforming apparatus which has an option function and can communicate withan information processing apparatus through a predeterminedcommunication medium, said method comprising: a notification step ofnotifying, in response to a request sent from the information processingapparatus, the information processing apparatus of an own ID of theimage forming apparatus itself stored in a memory; and a setting step ofperforming, based on information concerning validation and invalidationof the option function notified from the information processingapparatus, setting so as to validate and invalidate the option function.26. A storage medium which computer-readably stores a program to executean option function setup method of an image forming apparatus which hasan option function and can communicate with an information processingapparatus through a predetermined communication medium, said methodcomprising: an obtaining step of obtaining information concerningvalidation and invalidation of the option function and an image formingapparatus ID, notified from the information processing apparatus; acomparison step of comparing the image forming apparatus ID obtainedfrom the information processing apparatus with an own ID of the imageforming apparatus itself stored in a memory; a setting step ofperforming setting so as to validate and invalidate the option functionon the basis of the information concerning the validation andinvalidation of the option function notified from the informationprocessing apparatus, in a case where the image forming apparatus IDobtained form the information processing apparatus coincides with theown ID of the image forming apparatus itself stored in the memory; and anon setting step of not performing the setting of the option functionbased on the information concerning the validation and invalidation ofthe option function notified from the information processing apparatus,in a case where the image forming apparatus ID obtained form theinformation processing apparatus does not coincide with the own ID ofthe image forming apparatus itself stored in the memory.
 27. A methodwhich is suitable for a system including at least one image formingapparatus having at least any one of plural functions including a copyfunction, a scanner function and a printer function, and which cancontrol an operation to permit use of the function of the imageprocessing apparatus, said method comprising: a permission step ofpermitting execution of the operation in the one image processingapparatus by using one program data; and an inhibition step ofinhibiting the execution of the operation in the plural image processingapparatuses by using the one program data.
 28. A method according toclaim 27, wherein, in case of corresponding to a condition that pluralprogram data are unfairly obtained, said method inhibits the executionof the operation of the plural image processing apparatuses using theobtained plural program data.
 29. A method according to claim 27,wherein, in case of corresponding to a condition that plural programdata are fairly obtained, said method permits the execution of theoperation of the plural image processing apparatuses using the obtainedplural program data.
 30. A method according to claim 27, wherein saidmethod inhibits the execution of the operation of the plural imageprocessing apparatuses using plural program data generated byduplicating the one program data.
 31. A method according to claim 27,wherein said method enables an external apparatus capable ofcommunicating with the image processing apparatus to perform theprocesses in said permission step and said inhibition step.
 32. A methodaccording to claim 31, wherein the external apparatus includes at leastany one of plural external apparatuses including other image processingapparatus and a host computer.
 33. A method according to claim 27,wherein said method enables the image processing apparatus to performthe processes in said permission step and said inhibition step.
 34. Amethod according to claim 27, wherein the function which is controlledin said permission step and said inhibition step has an option functionof the image processing apparatus.
 35. A method according to claim 34,wherein the option function which is controlled in said permission stepand said inhibition step has at least any one of plural option functionsincluding a security function, a network scanner function, and acooperation function associated with document administration software.36. A method according to claim 27, wherein said method enables to setuse permission and use inhibition of each of the plural functions.